Container for a device for dispensing a volatile liquid

ABSTRACT

A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a neck extending from the body to define an opening. A retention structure is integral with the container body and is adapted to be releasably engaged with two opposing sidewalls of a housing of the dispensing device. The sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, and the retention structure is inhibits motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction. The retention structure may be located on a side of the container body. A capillary member extends from inside the container to an exterior of the container. The volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to emanation systems for volatileliquids and, more particularly, to a container for a volatile liquid ina liquid dispensing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing insertion of the container ofthe present invention into a housing of a dispensing device;

[0003]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1 showing theopening into which the container is inserted;

[0004]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0005]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0006]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of a side of thecontainer as shown in FIG. 6;

[0007]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of another side ofthe container as shown in FIG. 6;

[0008]FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container ofFIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6designated by enclosure 40;

[0010]FIG. 7 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1 during insertioninto the housing with the housing partially cut away;

[0011]FIG. 8 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1 fully insertedinto the housing with the housing partially cut away;

[0012]FIGS. 9-12 are end views of alternative embodiments of thecontainer of FIG. 1 fully inserted into the housing with the housingpartially cut away;

[0013]FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a retention structure formed on thecontainer of FIG. 1 with the container partially cut away;

[0014]FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a wick secured in the container ofFIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a wick tobe secured in the container of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 15A is an top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15;

[0017]FIG. 15B is a cross sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 15A;

[0018]FIG. 16A is a top view of another embodiment of a wick to besecured in the container of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 16B is a cross sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 16A;

[0020]FIG. 17A is a top view of still another embodiment of a wick to besecured in the container of FIG. 1; and

[0021]FIG. 17B is a side view of the wick of FIG. 17A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, container 20 of the present invention isreleasably secured to a housing 100 of a dispenser for a volatileliquid, such as a fragrance compound. Container 20 serves as a reservoirfor the volatile liquid. A capillary member 310 is secured in an openingof container 20. A portion of capillary member 310 extends into aninterior of container 20 to contact the volatile liquid. Another portionof capillary member 310 extends outside container 20. When container 20is secured in housing 100, a portion of the container and the portion ofcapillary member 310 extending outside container 20 resides in aninterior of housing 100. The volatile liquid migrates along capillarymember 310 from the reservoir to the exterior of container 20 where itis evaporated from an exterior surface of capillary member 310 by forcedairflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in housing 100. In thisinstance, container 20 is secured in a position on housing 100 such thatthe portion of capillary member 310 residing in the interior of housing100 resides in the forced air stream generated by the fan.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 3, container 20 of the presentinvention is configured to be inserted into an opening 104 in housing20. Container 20 includes a body 22, a neck 23 extending from the bodyand defining an opening 24 for receiving the volatile liquidtherethrough, a pair of opposing sides 26, 28 on opposite sides of theopening, and a pair of sidewalls 30, 32, each sidewall intersecting eachof opposing sides 26, 28 at ends thereof. Straight surfaces 34, 36 maybe formed in one or both of sidewalls 30, 32 to aid a user in graspingthe container during extraction of the container from the housing.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, it may be seen that opposing sides 26, 28each have a concave curvature with respect to an interior 180 of thecontainer. The curvature of side 28 may substantially conform to acomplementary surface 38 of housing 100, to aid in the securement andpositioning the container with respect to the housing. Also, as seen inFIG. 8, side 26 of container 20 may be configured to align with acontour of an adjacent surface 40 of the housing when container 20 issecured in housing 100 which aids in maintenance of the securement ofthe container.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of container side 28, and FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of container side 26. Referring to FIGS. 4-6,it may be seen that side 28 has a radius of curvature R1 greater than aradius of curvature R2 of side 26. Also, as seen in FIG. 6, side 26 isangled with respect to side 28. Defining an axis of curvature of a givencurved surface as a line that is equidistant from all points along thecurved surface, it is also seen that, as a result of the angledrelationship between sides 26 and 28, an axis of curvature of side 26has a corresponding angled relationship with axis of curvature of side28. This orientation of sides 26 and 28 likewise facilitates themaintenance of securement of the container to the housing.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2, 6, 6A and 7, each of opposing sidewalls41 and 71 has a corresponding edge portion 52, 54. Edge portions 52, 54define an opening 104, as seen in FIG. 1A, adapted to receive a portionof container 20 therein. In the embodiments described herein, a portionof container 20 resides in an interior of housing 100 when container 20is secured in its desired position on the housing. A retentionstructure, generally designated 40, as seen in FIG. 6, is formed alongone or more of opposing sides 26, 28 to position and releasably securecontainer 20 between two opposing sidewalls 41, 71 of housing 100.Retention structure 40 may be formed integral with container 20.Alternatively, retention structure 40 may be incorporated into one ormore components separate from container 20 and designed to be affixed tocontainer 20.

[0027] In a manner described below, retention structure is adapted toengage the edge portion of at least one of the two opposing housingsidewalls 41 and 71 to inhibit motion of the container in two opposingdirections, as demonstrated by arrows A and B shown in FIG. 7, relativeto the housing.

[0028]FIG. 6A shows a magnified view of retention structure 40.Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6A, in a first embodiment retention structure40 includes a recess 42 formed in surface 26 of container 20 and adaptedto receive edge portion 52 of housing sidewall 26 therein as seen inFIGS. 7 and 8. An inclined surface 44 may be formed on surface 26 ofcontainer 20 adjacent recess 42. In general, the inclined surfacesdescribed in this embodiment and in the following alternativeembodiments serve as ramps for the purpose of slidingly engaging an edgeof the housing during insertion of the container into the interiorportion of the housing, thereby easing insertion of the container intothe housing interior. Inclined surface 44 may either be slightly curvedor substantially straight. Recess 42 has a slightly sloped inner surface46 extending along a side of thereof opposite inclined surface 44.Recess 42 also has an inner surface 50 formed opposite sloped innersurface 46.

[0029] In addition to recess 42 formed on surface 26 of the container, aprojection 48, as seen in FIG. 6A, and an adjacent inclined surface 49are formed on surface 28 of container 20 for engaging a second edgeportion 54 of housing 20 different from first edge portion 52 describedabove. As shown, projection 48 is formed on a container surface 28 whichis opposite, and spaced apart from, container surface 26 on which recess42 is formed. A side of projection 48 opposite the side on whichinclined surface 49 is formed may include a slightly sloped surface 47for slidingly engaging second edge portion 54 during extraction ofcontainer 20 from housing 100.

[0030] Engagement and disengagement of retention structure 40 withhousing 100 will now be described.

[0031] In a first embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1A, 6-8, retentionstructure 40 engages a first edge portion 52 and a second edge portion54 upon insertion to position and releasably secure container 20 inhousing 100. In the embodiment shown, first edge portion 52 extendsgenerally transversely toward second edge portion 54.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 6, 6A, 7 and 8, when container 20 is movedtoward housing 100 in the direction indicated by arrow “A”, inclinedsurface 44 engages edge portion 52 and slides along edge portion 52.Edge portion 52 and/or inclined surface 44 may resiliently deflectduring sliding of inclined surface 44 along edge portion 52. Similarly,edge portion 54 slides along inclined surface 49 adjacent projection 48.Referring to FIG. 9, sliding engagement between inclined surface 44 andedge portion 52 continues until container 20 reaches a position whereedge portion 52 enters recess 42, wherein edge portion 52 returns to asubstantially undeflected state, thereby securing container 20 betweenedge portions 52 and 54. Also, at this time, edge portion 54 slides overan intersection between inclined surface 49 and sloped surface 47engages edge portion 54, returning to a substantially undeflected state.

[0033] From the above description, it may be seen that when container 20is releasably secured in housing 100, retention structure 40 describedabove (FIG. 6 and 6A) will effectively inhibit motion of container 20 inthe two opposing directions “A” and “B” relative to the housing.Specifically, referring to FIGS. 6A and 8, engagement between recessinner surface 50 and edge portion 52 will inhibit motion of container 20in the direction indicated by arrow “A” to aid in preventingover-insertion of container 20 into the housing interior. In addition,engagement between recess sloped inner surface 46 and edge portion 52will inhibit motion of container 20 in the direction indicated by arrow“B”, to inhibit extraction of container 20 from the housing interior.Finally, engagement between projection sloped surface 47 and second edgeportion 54 during extraction of the container aids in inhibitingextraction of the container from the housing.

[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 6, 6A and 8, when container 20 is to bedisengaged from housing 100, container 20 is grasped along straightsurfaces 34, 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and pulled in the direction indicated byarrow “B”. Recess sloped surface 46 then acts as a detent, slidinglyengaging edge portion 52 and moving along edge portion 52 in thedirection indicated by arrow “A” until edge portion 52 reaches anintersection of sloped surface 46 with inclined surface 44. Edge portion52 then slides along inclined surface 44 until container 20 isdisengaged from edge portion 52. Similarly, edge portion 54 slides alongsloped surface 47 until edge portion 54 reaches an intersection ofsloped surface 47 with inclined surface 49. Edge portion 54 then slidesalong inclined surface 49 until container 20 is disengaged from edgeportion 54.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the retentionstructure incorporates only recess 42 formed in container side 26.Projection 48 is not formed on opposing container side 28. Operation ofthe retention structure during insertion and withdrawal of the containeris as described for the first embodiment.

[0036] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the retention structuremay be in the form of an adhesive adapted to adhere the container to asurface of the housing. The adhesive may be applied directly to asurface 28 of the container and/or a corresponding surface 70 of thehousing. Alternatively, the adhesive may be in the form of an adhesivetape, for example, a double-sided tape applied to one of the containersurface or the corresponding housing surface.

[0037] Additional alternative embodiments of the retention structure arealso contemplated which will position and releasably secure thecontainer to housing 100. For example, referring to FIG. 10, an inclinedsurface 150 may be formed along housing surface 70, rather than alongside 28 of the container, for slidingly engaging side 28 during mountingof the container on the housing.

[0038] In another embodiment (not shown), the retention structure mayalso be in the form of a latching member formed integral with thecontainer and adapted to engage a complementary latch-receiving featureon the housing. Alternatively, the container may have a latch-receivingfeature formed thereon for engaging a complementary latching memberformed on the housing.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 11, in yet another embodiment, the retentionstructure may be in the form of a releasable mating hook-and-loop typefastening member 200 adapted to mate with a complementary fasteningmember 202 positioned on the housing.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 12, the retention structure may alternativelybe formed by opposing sides 26, 28 of the container dimensioned so as toform an create an interference fit between container 20 housing 100. Forexample, dimension “X” extending across opposing container surfaces 26,28 may be made slightly larger than a distance “Y” separating spacedapart first and second housing portions 52, 54. Thus, when container 20is inserted into housing 100, an interference fit is generated betweenopposing container surfaces 26, 28 and first and second housing portions52, 54.

[0041] From the above descriptions, it may be seen that when container20 is releasably secured in housing 100, any of the alternativeretention structure embodiments described above will effectively inhibitmotion of the container in the two opposing directions “A” and “B”relative to the housing.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment of the retentionstructure a projection 97 is formed along side 26 of the container in aposition to engage a housing edge portion 53 when container 20 isinserted into housing 100. A pair of inclined surfaces 98, 99 is formedon side 26 adjacent projection 97 on either side of the projection forslidingly engaging a housing edge portion 53 during insertion andextraction of container 20 from housing 100, in the manner describedabove. In this embodiment, edge portion 53 includes a pair of edge walls95, 96 projecting in a direction generally transverse to the insertiondirection of container 20 into housing 100. Edge walls 95, 96 form arecess for receiving projection 97 therein to releasably securecontainer 20 to housing 100.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14-17, a capillary member 310 is to besecured in opening 24 (FIG. 2) of container 20. One portion 310 a (FIG.15) of capillary member 310 extends into the interior 180 of container20 to contact the volatile liquid. Another portion 310 b (FIG. 15) ofcapillary member 310 extends outside container 20. When the container issecured in housing 100, a portion of container 20 and the portion 310 bof capillary member extending outside container 20, resides in aninterior of the housing. The volatile liquid migrates along capillarymember 310 from the reservoir to the exterior of container 20 where itis evaporated from the surface of capillary member 310 by forced airflowgenerated by a motorized fan mounted in housing 100. In one form,capillary member 310 secured in container 20 is in the form of a wickand, for illustrative purposes, the terms “capillary member” and “wick”will be used synonymously hereinafter. Detailed descriptions of somerepresentative wick structures which may be secured in the container ofthe present invention are provided in co-pending patent applicationshaving U.S. Ser. Nos. 10/266,512; 10/266,798; and 10/266,546 and areincorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 14, a portion of wick 310 that is co-extensivewith neck 330 of container 20 is shaped so that it fits snugly into theneck 330 of the container 20. The wick 310 is long enough so that itsbottom surfaces come into contact with the liquid in the container 20and its top surfaces are exposed to the ambient air. (The level of theliquid is not shown in the container 20.) It is preferable to use a neckclosure 320, such as that shown in FIG. 14, to hold the wick 310 inplace and to prevent leakage around the neck 330 of the container 20.The fit between the neck closure 320 and the container 20 is tightenough to prevent leakage of the liquid from the container 20. Likewise,the fit between the neck closure 320 and the wick 310 is sufficientlytight to prevent leakage of the liquid from the container 20.

[0045] In addition, the neck 330 of the container 20 may be shaped sothat a cover 300 can be securely fastened over the wick 310 and neckclosure 320. For example, the outer neck 330 of the container 20 may bethreaded so that cover 330 can be screwed on top of the container 20when the device is not in use.

[0046] Referring again to FIG. 14, the container 20 and the neck closure320 can be made of any suitable material that is leakproof and adaptableto incorporate the characteristics of the retention structureembodiments described herein. The size of the opening in the container20 and the size of the neck closure 320 are dependent upon each otherand upon the size of the wick 310 that is to be used with the device.

[0047] The neck closure 320 or neck 330 of the container 20 may beformed with a small hole (e.g., a vent-hole) to help counter the effectsof a vacuum that can form in the head-space of the container 20. Thewick 310 transports the liquid to the surface of the wick 310 by aprinciple called capillary action. In particular, the wick materialcontains numerous pores, and these pores act as capillaries, which causethe liquid to be drawn into them. As the liquid is drawn from thecontainer and transported up the porous wick 310, a vacuum is created inthe head-space of the container 20. The formation of a vacuum in thehead-space of the container 20 decreases the rate that the liquid iswicked from the reservoir to the surface. This decrease in the wickingrate translates directly into a decrease in the release rate of theliquid to the ambient air. Accordingly, in order to combat the formationof the vacuum in the head-space, it is often preferable to form avent-hole in the vicinity of the head-space of the container 20.However, if the container 20 is overturned, either during shipping or,later, during handling of the bottle by the consumer, it is possible forthe concentrated liquid in the container 20 to leak out of thevent-hole. Therefore, if is preferable to design a device that does notrequire a vent-hole.

[0048] It has been found that if the pore size of the wick 310 is belowa critical size, the vent-hole can be eliminated without sacrificing therelease rate of the vaporizable liquid into the ambient air. Because thecapillary force increases as the pore size of the wick 310 decreases, awick 310 with very small porosity has a very strong capillary force.This strong capillary force allows the wick 310 to continue to be ableto transport the liquid from the container 20 to the surface of the wick310 even though a vacuum has formed in the head-space of the container20. In other words, a wick 310 with a very small pore size is able toovercome the vacuum effect that is present in the head-space of thecontainer 20.

[0049] The critical size of the wick 310 is determined by the surfacetension of the liquid, the compatibility of the wick 310 and liquid(i.e., the contact angle), and the extent to which a vacuum is generatedwith the head-space of the container 20. In particular, we have foundthat if the wick 310 is manufactured with a mean pore size that is belowabout four microns, the effects of a vacuum in the head-space of thecontainer 20 can be greatly decreased. Specifically, we have found thatit is most preferable that the mean pore size of the wick 310 be belowabout one micron. When the wick 310 has a mean pore size of below fourmicrons, and preferably below one micron, we have found that the wick310 is still able to effectively function to transport the liquid fromthe container 20 to the surface of the wick 310.

[0050] When using a device of this invention, it is not necessary toprovide a vent-hole in the upper part of the container 20, or in theneck closure 320 because the vacuum effects are substantially decreased.By eliminating the vent-hole, the problem of spillage or leakage thatoccurs as a result of the existence of the vent-hole is also eliminated.

[0051] The mean pore size of the wick 310 can be determined by anystandard test for determining porosity and pore size distribution. Forexample, mercury porosimetry is a method that gives information onporosity and pore size distribution for rigid wicks. It is based on themeasurement of differential increments in the amount of mercury intrudedinto the wick 310 as a function of increasing applied pressure.

[0052] It has also been found that another advantage in using a wick 310with a mean porosity of below about four microns, and preferably belowabout one micron, is that the lower porosity decreases the likelihood ofthe liquid spilling or leaking through the wick 310 itself. Since theupper surface of the wick 310 is exposed to the ambient air, if thecontainer 20 is overturned, it is possible for liquid to leak outthrough a wick of conventional pore sizes. Using a smaller porosity wick310 of this invention, however, decreases the ability of the liquid totravel through the wick 310 when the container 20 is overturned.

[0053] The wick 310 can be made of a variety of materials. It ispreferable that the wick 310 be rigid enough to provide minimal contactarea with the surface that the wick 310 comes in contact with. Polymericwicks, for example, have been found to be effective for these purposes.In particular, wicks composed of ultra high molecular weight, highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) have been found to be suitable. Such wicksare generally comprised of blends of HDPE in particle form, and theblends are developed to meet the target pore characteristics of the wick310.

[0054] Preferably, the solubility parameter of the polymer used in thewick 310 is significantly different from that of any of the componentscontained in the liquid. This prevents the wick 310 from swelling (orother changes) that may lead to a change in the pore size and porosityof the wick 310, which would consequently affect the release rate of thevaporizable liquid into the ambient air.

[0055] The wick 310 can also be made in a variety of shapes. FIG. 14,for example, shows a cylindrical wick 310 with a narrower lower region.This change in shape of the wick 310 is not required. Instead, thisvariation in shape can be useful in that it both increases the amount ofthe surface area of the wick 310 that is exposed to the ambient air andaids in forming a tighter seal at the neck 330 area of the container 20,thus helping to prevent spilling or leaking of the liquid from thecontainer 20. The above-described benefits of using a wick 310 with amean pore size of below about four microns, and preferably below aboutone micron, can be obtained with wicks of many different shapes.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to provide a wick 310with an outer layer that is made up of a material with larger poresizes. In FIG. 15, the large pore outer section 310 b completelysurrounds the exposed portion of the wick 310 a. The small pore sizesection 310 a extends into the container 20 and is in contact with theliquid. In this manner, the smaller pores of the inner portion 310 a ofthe wick 310 allow the delivery system to be constructed without avent-hole, while the larger pores of the outer portion 310 b provide amaximum release rate of the vaporizable liquid off the surface of thewick 310 that is exposed to the ambient air. It should be noted,however, that the large pore section 310 b need not completely surroundthe upper region of the small pore section 310 a as shown in FIG. 15 inorder to provide the benefits of this invention.

[0057] It is often desired that the volatile liquid dispenser describedherein exhibit an initial spike in the release rate of the volatileliquid when the device is first activated. For example, when a fragrancedispensing device is activated, an initial spike in the release rate ofthe volatile liquid fragrance compound is desired in order to quicklydisperse into the air a sufficient amount of the fragrance compound toeffectively decrease the number of insects in the surrounding area. Oncean optimum level of fragrance compound is present in the ambient air ofthe operating area, however, the release rate of the fragrance compoundshould be decreased to an amount that is sufficient to maintain thatoptimum level. By having two sections of varying pore size exposed tothe ambient air at the same time, it is possible to achieve an initialspike effect.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, 17A and 17B, in variousembodiments of the wick, the initial spike effect described above may beachieved by having a wick 310 that is comprised of at least twosections. A first section 350 is made of a material that has apredetermined pore size, while the second section 360 is made of amaterial that has a pore size that is greater than that of the materialof the first section. Both sections of the wick are exposed to theambient air.

[0059] In the wick embodiments described above, the cylindrical shape ofthe large pore section 360 is also narrowed at its lower portion. Thepore size of the lower portion of large pore section 360, however, doesnot change with this change in diameter. Importantly, this change inshape is not required for achieving the initial spike effect. Instead,this variation in shape can be useful in that it both increases theamount of the surface area exposed to the ambient air and aids informing a tighter seal at the neck 330 area of the container 20 (FIG.14), thus helping to prevent spilling or leaking of the liquid from thecontainer 20.

[0060] In the above-described embodiments, the wick is longitudinal, hasa longitudinal axis and a curved exterior surface. In alternativeembodiments, the wick may be formed such that a cross-section of thewick taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has any one of avariety of simple geometric shapes, such as a circle, a diamond, arectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval or a triangle.

Industrial Applicability

[0061] The container of the present invention is releasably secured to ahousing of a unit for dispensing a volatile substance, such as afragrance compound. Thus, the container can serve as a disposablereservoir for the volatile substance. In addition, the structure of thecontainer serves to position a portion of a capillary member in the pathof an airflow generated by a fan mounted in the housing. Thispositioning of the capillary member within a forced airflow ensuresrapid and efficient dissemination of a volatile substance drawn throughthe capillary member from the reservoir.

[0062] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detaileddescription of various embodiments of this invention and that numerouschanges to the disclosed embodiment can be made in accordance with thedisclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limitthe scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to bedetermined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A container comprising: a body; a neck extending from the body defining an opening; and a retention structure integral with the body, adapted to be positioned between two opposing sidewalls of a housing of a dispenser for a volatile liquid, in which the sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, in which the two opposing sidewalls each have an edge portion in which the portions define an opening adapted to receive the neck into an interior of the housing, and the retention structure being adapted to engage the edge portion of at least one of the two opposing sidewalls to inhibit motion of the container in two opposing directions relative to the housing and generally transverse to the first direction.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the retention structure comprises a recess formed in a surface of the body adapted to receive the edge portion of one of the two opposing sidewalls.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein the retention structure includes a projection formed in the surface of the body positioned on an opposing sidewall of the container to the sidewall carrying the recess.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein the projection further includes an inclined surface formed on the surface of the body adjacent the projection.
 5. The container of claim 2 wherein the recess includes an inclined surface formed on the surface of the body adjacent to the recess.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein the retention structure includes a projection formed in a surface of the body.
 7. The container of claim 6 wherein an inclined surface is formed on the surface of the body adjacent the projection.
 8. The container of claim 1 in which the retention structure is adapted to engage the edge portion of one of the sidewalls wherein the edge portion extends in a direction generally transverse to the two opposing directions.
 9. The container of claim 1 including a capillary member positioned to extend through the opening of the container in which a portion of the capillary member extends within the container and another portion extends outside of the container.
 10. The container of claim 9 in which the capillary member includes a first and second section.
 11. The container of claim 10 in which a portion of the capillary member which extends outside of the container includes both a first and second sections.
 12. The container of claim 10 in which the first section is formed having a predetermined pore size and the second section is formed having a predetermined pore size that is greater than the pore size of the first section.
 13. The container of claim 12 wherein the ratio of the pore size of the second section to that of the first section is greater than approximately two.
 14. The container of claim 10 wherein the first section is formed on top of the second section.
 15. The container of claim 10 wherein each of the first section and the second section is cylindrical in shape.
 16. The container of claim 9 wherein the capillary member has a curved exterior surface.
 17. The container of claim 9 wherein the capillary member is elongate.
 18. The container of claim 17 wherein a cross section of the capillary member taken perpendicular to a length of the member has a simple geometrical shape.
 19. The container of claim 18 wherein the shape is one of a circle, a diamond, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval and a triangle.
 20. The container of claim 1 wherein the two opposing sidewalls of the container have curved surfaces in which a radius of curvature of one surface is greater than a radius of curvature of the other surface.
 21. The container of claim 1 wherein the two opposing sidewalls of the container have curved surfaces in which one surface has an axis of curvature oriented in an angled relationship to an axis of curvature of the other surface.
 22. The container of claim 1 wherein a wall forming the body of the container provides a substantially straight surface.
 23. The container of claim 1 wherein the container is non-vented and has an opening at a top surface of the container and further includes a porous wick having a predetermined mean pore size of less than about four microns, the wick extending through the opening in the container such that a lower region of the wick will be in contact with the liquid to be held by the container and an upper region of the wick is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the opening in the container is substantially sealed by the wick.
 24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a neck closure having a hole, wherein the neck closure fits tightly into the opening of the container and the wick fits tightly into the hole of the neck closure, such that the opening of the container is substantially sealed by the neck closure and the wick.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the wick is comprised of high density polyethylene.
 26. The device of claim 24, further comprising an outer layer of porous material that surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the outer layer has a predetermined mean pore size that is greater than that of the wick.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the outer layer completely surrounds the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air.
 28. The container of claim 1 wherein the container is non-vented and has an opening at a top surface of the container and further includes a porous wick having a predetermined mean pore size of less than about one micron, the wick extending through the opening in the container such that a lower region of the wick will be in contact with the liquid to be held by the container and an upper region of the wick is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the opening in the container is substantially sealed by the wick.
 29. The device of claim 28, further comprising a neck closure having a hole, wherein the neck closure fits tightly into the opening of the container and the wick fits tightly into the hole of the neck closure, such that the opening of the container is substantially sealed by the neck closure and the wick.
 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the wick is comprised of high density polyethylene.
 31. The device of claim 29, further comprising an outer layer of porous material that surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the outer layer has a predetermined mean pore size that is greater than that of the wick.
 32. The device of claim 31, wherein the outer layer completely surrounds, the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air.
 33. A container comprising: a body adapted to be positioned between two opposing sidewalls of a housing of a dispenser for volatile liquid, the two opposing sidewalls being spaced apart in a first direction, the two opposing sidewalls each having an edge portion, the edge portions defining an opening adapted to receive the neck into an interior of the housing; a neck extending from a top of the body defining an opening; and a retention structure associated with a side of the body to engage at least one of the two opposing sidewalls to inhibit motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction.
 34. The container of claim 33 in which the retention structure is integral with the container.
 35. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure comprises a recess formed in a surface of the body adapted to receive the edge portion of one of the two opposing sidewalls.
 36. The container of claim 35 wherein the retention structure includes a projection formed in the surface of the body positioned on an opposing side of the container to the sidewall carrying the recess.
 37. The container of claim 36 wherein the retention structure further includes an inclined surface formed on the surface of the body adjacent the projection.
 38. The container of claim 34 wherein the recess includes another inclined surface formed on a surface of the body adjacent the recess.
 39. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure includes a projection formed in a surface of the container and positioned on opposing sides of the container.
 40. The container of claim 39 wherein an incline surface is formed on the surface of the container adjacent the projection positioned on at least one of opposing sides of the container.
 41. The container of claim 33 in which the retention structure is adapted to engage the edge portion of one of the sidewalls wherein the edge portion extends in another direction generally transverse to the two opposing directions.
 42. The container of claim 33 wherein a portion of a side of the body is adapted to be positioned in an interior of the housing.
 43. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure comprises an adhesive adapted to adhere the container to the surface of the one of the sidewalls.
 44. The container of claim 43 wherein the adhesive is in the form of an adhesive tape.
 45. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure comprises a latching member formed integral with the container adapted to engage one of at least one of the edge portions of the opposing sidewalls and the surface of one of the sidewalls.
 46. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure comprises a releasable mating hook-and-loop type fastening member adapted to mate with a complementary fastening member positioned on the surface of the one of the sidewalls.
 47. The container of claim 33 wherein the retention structure comprises opposing sides of the container spaced apart such that a separation distance between the opposing sides of the container is greater than another separation distance between edge portions of the two opposing sidewalls which receive the opposing sides of the container.
 48. The container of claim 33 including a capillary member positioned to extend through the opening of the container in which a portion of the capillary member extends within the container and another portion extends outside of the container.
 49. The container of claim 48 in which the capillary member includes a first and second section.
 50. The container of claim 49 in which a portion of the capillary member which extends outside of the container includes both a first and second sections.
 51. The container of claim 49 in which the first section is formed having a predetermined pore size and the second section formed having a predetermined pore size that is greater than the pore size of the first section.
 52. The container of claim 51 wherein the ratio of the pore size of the second section to that of the first section is greater than approximately two.
 53. The container of claim 49 wherein the first section is formed on top of the second section.
 54. The container of claim 49 wherein each of the first section and the second section is cylindrical in shape.
 55. The container of claim 48 wherein the capillary member has a curved exterior surface.
 56. The container of claim 48 wherein the capillary member is elongate.
 57. The container of claim 56 wherein a cross section of the capillary member taken perpendicular to a length of the member has a simple geometrical shape.
 58. The container of claim 57 wherein the shape is one of a circle, a diamond, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, an oval and a triangle.
 59. The container of claim 33 wherein the two opposing sidewalls of the container have curved surfaces in which a radius of curvature of one sidewall is greater than a radius of curvature of the other sidewall.
 60. The container of claim 33 wherein the two opposing sidewalls of the container have curved surfaces in which one sidewall has an axis of curvature oriented in an angular relationship to an axis of curvature of the other sidewall.
 61. The container of claim 33 wherein a wall forming the body of the container provides a substantially straight surface.
 62. The container of claim 33 wherein the container is non-vented and has an opening at a top surface of the container and further includes a porous wick having a predetermined mean pore size of less than about four microns, the wick extending through the opening in the container such that a lower region of the wick will be in contact with the liquid to be held by the container and an upper region of the wick is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the opening in the container is substantially sealed by the wick.
 63. The device of claim 62; further comprising a neck closure having a hole, wherein the neck closure fits tightly into the opening of the container and the wick fits tightly into the hole of the neck closure, such that the opening of the container is substantially sealed by the neck closure and the wick.
 64. The device of claim 63, wherein the wick is comprised of high density polyethylene.
 65. The device of claim 63, further comprising an outer layer of porous material that surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the outer layer has a predetermined mean pore size that is greater than that of the wick.
 66. The device of claim 65, wherein the outer layer completely surrounds the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air.
 67. The container of claim 33 wherein the container is non-vented and has an opening at a top surface of the container and further includes a porous wick having a predetermined mean pore size of less than about one micron, the wick extending through the opening in the container such that a lower region of the wick will be in contact with the liquid to be held by the container and an upper region of the wick is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the opening in the container is substantially sealed by the wick.
 68. The device of claim 67, further comprising a neck closure having a hole, wherein the neck closure fits tightly into the opening of the container and the wick fits tightly into the hole of the neck closure, such that the opening of the container is substantially sealed by the neck closure and the wick.
 69. The device of claim 68, wherein the wick is comprised of high density polyethylene.
 70. The device of claim 68, further comprising an outer layer of porous material that surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air, wherein the outer layer has a predetermined mean pore size that is greater than that of the wick.
 71. The device of claim 70, wherein the outer layer completely surrounds the surface of the wick that is exposed to the ambient air.
 72. A container, comprising: a body adapted to be removably mounted to a housing of a dispenser for a volatile liquid in which the body comprises opposing sides in which one side of the body has a curved surface having a radius of curvature greater than another radius of curvature of another curved surface of another side of the body.
 73. The container of claim 72 further comprising a retention structure in association with the container adapted to be engaged with the housing to inhibit motion of the container in two opposing directions relative to the housing.
 74. The container of claim 73 wherein the retention structure is formed on one side of the body.
 75. The container of claim 73 wherein the retention structure is formed on each of the side and other side of the body.
 76. The container of claim 72 wherein an axis of curvature of the curved surface is oriented in an angular relationship to another axis of curvature of the other curved surface.
 77. The container of claim 72 wherein said curved surface is adapted to conform to a surface of the housing.
 78. The container of claim 72 wherein the other curved surface is adapted to align with another surface of the housing.
 79. The container of claim 72 wherein a substantially straight surface is positioned on the body intersecting the opposing sides of the body.
 80. A container, comprising: a body adapted to be removably mounted to a housing of a dispenser for a volatile liquid in which the body comprises opposing sides in which each opposing side has a curved surface having an axis of curvature in which the axis of curvature of one side is oriented in an angular relationship to the axis of curvature of the other side.
 81. The container of claim 80 further comprising a retention structure in association with the container adapted to be engaged with the housing to inhibit motion of the container in two opposing directions relative to the housing.
 82. The container of claim 81 wherein the retention structure is formed on one side of the body.
 83. The container of claim 81 wherein a portion of the retention structure is formed on each of the side and other side of the body.
 84. The container of claim 80 wherein a radius of curvature of one of the curved surfaces is greater than the radius of curvature of the other curved surface.
 85. The container of claim 80 wherein the curved surface is adapted to conform to a surface of the housing.
 86. The container of claim 80 wherein the other curved surface is adapted to align with another surface of the housing.
 87. The container of claim 80 wherein a substantially straight surface is positioned on the body intersecting the opposing sides of the body.
 88. A container, comprising: a body removably mountable onto a housing for a dispenser for a volatile liquid; a sidewall formed on the body in which the sidewall has a substantially straight surface to grasp the container.
 89. The container of claim 88 wherein the container includes a curved exterior surface intersecting the substantially straight surface.
 90. The container of claim 89 including two curved surfaces in which a first curved surface has an axis of curvature oriented in an angular relationship to another axis of curvature of a second curved surface.
 91. The container of claim 89 includes two curved surfaces in which a first curved surface has a radius of curvature greater than another radius of curvature of a second curved surface.
 92. The container of claim 89 wherein the body includes two curved surfaces in which a first curved surface is adapted to conform to a sidewall of the housing and a second curved surface adapted to align with another sidewall of the housing.
 93. The container of claim 89 including two substantially straight surfaces spaced apart on the body.
 94. The container of claim 88 further comprising a retention structure in association with the container adapted to be engaged with the housing to inhibit motion of the container in two opposing directions relative to the housing.
 95. The container of claim 94 wherein the retention structure is formed on one side of the body.
 96. The container of claim 94 wherein the retention structure is formed on each of the side and other side of the body. 